Ovulation testing - advice needed

[Jurassiclover]

Hey guys.

So I've been TTC since a MC in October and so far haven't had even a whiff of a BFP. Frustratingly, the BFP in October was in my first month of trying, however it seems now after the MC it's just not happening.

This month I've decided to actually use ovulation tests as previously I was just DTD roughly every other day but I think it'd be useful to actually pin point OV to make sure I'm DTD around then.

So my question is, when do I start testing in my cycle, what time of day and how many times a day?

My cycles average around 40 days but they really vary each cycle (I've had some be 32 days and my current cycle I'm up to day 58 😭). Because of my longer cycles I have no idea when to start OV testing?

Any advice is appreciated guys! Thank you x

Hey

Sorry to hear about your MC. I'm currently on cycle 12 of TTC without a BFP and this is the first month I'm going to try the ovulation tests. I'm going to follow SMEP (Sperm Meets Egg Plan) where you start testing every day from day 10. As I've not tried it yet I can't offer much advice, but it may be worth having a look to see if it is for you.

spermmeetseggplan.com

x

Just to add, I've read different things about testing. But I've been told it's best to test twice a day at different times in the day. Apparently late morning/early afternoon is best.

I'm only on day 9, so testing for me starts tomorrow. I think O is around day 14 for me so I can let you know how I get on if you like?

x

@LSL0708 I've had a brief look into SMEP before actually but I'm deffo gonna have another read thank you! And oh yeah that would be amazing thank you! I've also heard twice a day would be good so may try that. Good luck! X

No worries. I'll let you know how I get on. Best of luck to you xx

hi everyone! I am very new to all of this so here it goes..
My and my partner are TTC (trying to conceive) and I bought the digital Clearblue indicator, that tells you your two most fertile days. I use the Flo app to track my periods and suspected ovulation. Saturday 2nd was the start of my fertile week/10 days, but doing the Clearblue has always came up negative! We have DTD 3 times this week, and on a Friday I started to get sore breasts and feeling dizzy with cramps. I OPK tested today to see if sore breasts etc were signs of ovulation but it was negative, AGAIN!

Any help is appreciated, thanks. My cycles sometimes vary in length but my average is 33 days. Input all info into 3 different ovulation calculators and they all came up with the same dates as Flo! I have had blood tests done to check for PCOS and they said all sex hormones and FSH are at normal levels. Thank you in advance for any replies

Hi @Scarlettxo
I haven't used any of the ovulation tests yet so I can't offer any advice on not getting a positive... Sorry! I've heard the timing of the test can make a big difference though. So maybe it's been that?
Do you try and track using your CM? I've used Flo and CM to try and track ovulation up to now. I think it can be quite accurate. But with 11 unlucky cycles I felt I had to give SMEP and testing a go x

Thanks for the reply it’s much appreciated! I’m a bit clueless with everything! Flo is sometimes accurate but my cycle has varied a lot. The OPKs just seem to make me a bit depressed that I’m either missing fertile stage or not having one!!! :( What is SMEP?

X

Hi,

Do you know if your longer and varying cycles are down to PCOS? If they are then I know the clear blue won't be suitable. I am not sure about other brands though.

I've been TTC for 18 long f** months now and did conceive twice (they didn't last, and sorry to read about yours ). I was using OPKs and even bought an Ava (absolutely would not recommend) but the times I conceived was when I gave up on all that and just dtd every 2-3 days through your my cycle, making sure it was every 2 days for the couple of weeks ovulation could have occurred (I also have varying cycles between 34-43 days).

I had been driving myself crazy in the tww, obsessing over when the earliest time I could test was, peeing on countless wastes tests as well as all the ovulation tests. I decided to not allow myself to test until I had reached day 43 (the longest cycle I have had, except after 2nd MC) to avoid the extra stress. I actually didn't make it to day 43 because I started peeing LOADS so thought I had better test and it was a bfp.

Sorry that was a very long post, but in short I guess from my experience I would say that if you have varying cycles then OPKs do give you a sense of control to begin with, but it can easily turn into obsession which becomes absolutely exhausting the longer it takes.

Good luck

I'm sure you will be ovulating, but I understand how you are feeling. Especially when you aren't getting a positive result. The whole process is really consuming. Try your best to remain positive

SMEP is a plan when TTC:
spermmeetseggplan.com

I'm only on day 10 so I can't really say how I'm finding it yet x

Thanks for the reply! I’ve had blood tests to determine PCOS and they said all sex hormones and FSH were normal (good sign I guess)

I totally agree, the tests can turn into obsession & my partner asks every time I do one and I have to tell him no smiley face!!! We’ve only just started and haven’t told anyone to keep the pressure off - I know one day when it is right it will happen!

Will look into the SMEP & let you know :) thanks guys means a lot to talk to people when I don’t want to jinx myself from talking to anyone else lol xx